My Date Journal & New Rules For Dating

Since I’m officially single again I decided to use this opportunity to write about my dates as I have them.  I don’t really plan on doing any serious looking for men, but if I do go out, and I’m sure I will, I will be sure to tell you all about it. 🙂

Because of my lousy track record when it comes to dating, I have decided that I need to come up with some new ground rules to follow.  Here’s the beginning of the list of rules.  I’m sure I’ll be adding to it as time goes by.

1. No sex on the first date.  I have had a big problem with this in the past.  I’m sure you’re not surprised by that little confession. 😉  Actually, the only men that I married or had serious relationships with were men that I didn’t sleep with on the first date.
2. No going to the guy’s house on the first date.  Why?  See #1.  If I want to go to a guy’s house then I probably like him enough to have sex with him, and I can resist anything but temptation.  I don’t want to make it too easy for myself to end up in bed with a guy.
   
3. The first date has to be planned at least two days in advance.  This is merely to keep myself from rushing things.  If a guy really wants to meet me then he can at least have enough patience and respect to ask me out a couple of days in advance.  I’ve found that in the past when I have not followed this rule, I have regretted it 9 times out of 10.
4. Always know a man’s first and last name before going on a date with him.  This may sound silly, but I’ve actually had month-long relationships where I didn’t even know the guy’s last name.  Knowing this kind of information is important, just in case he turns out to be a psycho or stalker and you have to block him from calling you or you have to get a restraining order.
5. If using an online dating service, do not contact men first.  This is another one that I’m guilty of not following and that hasn’t seemed to work for me.  I think men like the chase too much and if I contact them first it kills part of the fun for them.
6. If he cheats, it’s over.  This one is sometimes difficult for me for two reasons.  First, because I believe in giving people second chances, and second, because I have been a cheater before.  I’m trying to change my ways though.  I also know that people who cheat ultimately can’t be trusted.  Another thing that I’ve learned is that I have to make sure that the person that I’m dating is on the same page as I am.  If I want to be monogamous, then I have to tell the person and find out if that’s what they also want.

Ok, so there’s my first six rules for dating.  Hopefully I can stick to them and avoid any more Manwhore or Skaterboi-type relationships.  Like I said above, I will definitely be adding more rules as I go along.  It’s difficult to think of everything I should and shouldn’t do now, so it will have to be a work in progress.

Happy humping! (Just not on the 1st date!)